Mitt Romney rejects Obama budget criticism

US Republican hopeful Mitt Romney has rebutted criticism from President Obama, in a speech the day after three state primary victories.

His successes in Wisconsin, Maryland and Washington DC boosted Mr Romney's position at the front of the race.

On Tuesday Mr Obama harshly critiqued Mr Romney's support for budget plans backed by Republicans in Congress.

The move has been taken as a signal that Democrats see Mr Romney as Mr Obama's likely opponent in November.

On Tuesday Mr Obama pointed out that Mr Romney had described the Republican budget - championed by Congressman Paul Ryan, a key Romney ally - as "marvellous".

But the president characterised the proposal as "social Darwinism", that would impose a "radical vision" on the country.

"The president came here yesterday and railed against arguments no-one is making and criticised policies no-one is proposing," Mr Romney said

"It's one of his favourite strategies: setting up straw men to distract us from his record. While I understand the president doesn't want to run on his record, he can't run from his record either."

Mr Romney accused the president of pursuing an agenda that had prevented businesses from flourishing in the wake of the recession and defended free enterprise, which he said had been at the heart of America's prosperity for decades.

Earlier on Tuesday Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner also criticised the Republican plan, which he said would reduce debt at the cost of funding key government programmes.

Mr Geithner said reducing support for poor Americans "is not financially necessary and cannot plausibly strengthen economic growth", adding that it would be "deeply unfair".

"This strategy is a recipe to make us a declining power - a less exceptional nation. It is a dark and pessimistic vision of America," Mr Geithner added.

Mr Obama underscored this difference in his comments on Tuesday by itemising all the programmes Americans could get with $150,000 (£94,000) - the average annual tax cut that wealthy earners would receive under the so-called Ryan budget.

The president said: "A year's worth of prescription drug coverage for a senior citizen. Plus a new school computer lab. Plus a year of medical care for a returning veteran. Plus a medical research grant for a chronic disease.

"Plus a year's salary for a firefighter or police officer. Plus a tax credit to make a year of college more affordable. Plus a year's worth of financial aid."

The president's attack came as polls were open for voting in Wisconsin, Maryland and Washington, DC. Mr Romeny's hat-trick of wins saw him take another stride towards the Republican nomination.

His win consolidated his position as the front-runner to be Republican presidential candidate, demonstrating his ability to rally Republican voters across the political spectrum.

Meanwhile, rival Republican candidate Rick Santorum has vowed to stay in the race, despite losing all three contests.

In his victory speech, Mr Romney did not mention Mr Santorum, but instead focused on Mr Obama.

"Our different visions for America are the product of our values and our life experiences," Mr Romney told supporters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.